With the Olympic Games fast approaching, it's not too late to play your part - right here in Birmingham.

The city is preparing to welcome many of the top athletes in the world as gold medal hopefuls from both the USA and Jamaica complete their London 2012 preparations here.

The Americans will train at the new-look Alexander Stadium, while the Jamaican camp will be based at the University of Birmingham.

Last year Birmingham City Council launched a new website - www.birminghamourgames.co.uk – to recruit volunteers and ensure the smooth running of two of the highest profile 2012 training camps.

And, while hundreds of people across the city have already registered their interest in volunteer roles, there is still time to grab an Olympic role.

Applications are being taken now for the USA training camp and the closing date for applications is May 18. NB: The University of Birmingham is organising the volunteer programme for the Jamaican camp.

Roles to be filled include:

Stewarding

Team liaison

Sports Festival supervisors

Community liaison

Stadium stewards

Kit carriers

Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, Cllr Martin Mullaney, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play a part in the Olympic Games.

“The people of Birmingham have a vital role to play this summer and a large number have already expressed an interest in volunteer roles.

“Volunteers are the 'lifeblood of sport' and it's only thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers that we can successfully deliver a wide range of sporting events and activities across the city.”

The website also lists sporting and community events to be hosted in Birmingham in the build-up to this change to ‘this’ summer's Games, with individuals and organisations invited to list their own events.

Volunteers who support at least three events/activities in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics will be guaranteed an interview to be part of the Olympic Training Camp volunteer workforce.

There are also a number of important milestones in the volunteering process that are key for anyone looking to volunteer.

ENDS

For more information contact Geoff Coleman on 0121 303 3501

Notes to Editors

The full timeline of the volunteer application process is as follows:

When

Activity

Overview

April 14, 15, 16

Open session

An opportunity to attend an information session to find out about the opportunities available and the volunteer recruitment process.